Social determinants of breastfeeding in Italy

MJ Kambale

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding is surely the best way to feed an infant at least in the first six months of life. Objective: To investigate the social determinants of breastfeeding behaviors among Italian women.

Methods: Data for this study were drawn from the Italian Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) survey conducted in 2005 which comprised a nationally representative sample of 50,474 households (128,040 subjects). This 2005 ISTAT survey asked several questions to women who delivered (n=5,812) in the past five years prior to the survey about their breastfeeding behaviours. Breastfeeding initiation rate and duration for > six months were our main dependent variables while independent variables included socio demographics and health-related factors. Descriptive statistics, Pearson chi-squared test and multiple logistic regressions were performed.

Results: Our sample comprised 5,812 women. Rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration for e” six months were respectively 82.0 percent and 70.0 percent. Social determinants of breastfeeding initiation were older ages (OR: 1.029, p=0.019) and employment status (OR: 1.289, p=0.032). No social factor was associated to breastfeeding duration.

Conclusion: Rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration in Italy are rather high. Age and employment status were the main social determinants (breastfeeding initiation) found.

Keywords: Socioeconomic factors, epidemiologic factors, breastfeeding, Italy.